Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo (Getty Images)
The Daily Mail had revealed that Wolverhampton Wanderers wanted Rubin Kazan star Sardar Azmoun on loan, with the club looking to add to their attacking firepower. The 24-year-old has been in fine form for his national side, scoring four goals in the AFC Asian Cup to take his total for Iran to 27 goals in just 43 appearances. This makes him their fourth highest goal-scorer and given the 24-year-old’s talent, it’s only time before he becomes their top goal-scorer.
However, for Wolves, it’s a move that would have made a lot of sense, especially when you take into consideration that they need a second striker to back Raul Jimenez in their side. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo prefers to play with three at the back, two in midfield, and sometimes with a front two.
Sardar Azmoun is a versatile star who can play as either a centre-forward, an attacking midfielder or even as a winger if need be.
But it’s his creativity and skill in front of goal that would have been key for the Premier League side going forward. The on-loan Benfica striker Jimenez has contributed by scoring eight goals this season, with Diogo Jota a close second with five. However, other than that, few others have come close to their tally, and this has been a cause for concern.
What may be concerning, however, if the fact that Azmoun has been rather inconsistent for his club Rubin Kazan, scoring just five goals in 17 appearances this season.
But that’s exactly why Wolves wanted a loan-deal with an option to buy at £11 million, rather than take the plunge now and watch the player flop.
If he would have done well, then Wolves might have to pay the required amount of fee to take him on a permanent deal. Sky Sports has revealed that the Russian side wants an obligation to buy-out clause inserted into the loan agreement, instead of an option to buy. However, the English side wanted to see the performance of the striker, and then think of keeping beyond the summer.
That’s why the deal came to an end with the shut down of the transfer window.
With Sardar Azmoun not signed, Wolves might have to rely on their current front two to keep up their good work and score the goals required to take this team to a top-eight finish.
